Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Expands the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria. Repeals the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Repeals the construction cost component of school impact fees. Exempts government housing developments, affordable housing units and projects, and Hawaiian home lands housing from school impact fees. Requires the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules governing fee collection. Increases the minimum number of units in a development to trigger land dedication provisions of the land component impact fee. Requires a report to the Legislature on program efficacy. Sunsets 7/1/2029. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM.

Requires budget summaries to contain all required information without referring the reader to other portions of the budget. Clarifies a unit owner's ability to enforce compliance with budget summary and replacement reserves requirements. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIGARETTE TAXES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100 per cent of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the State. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position. (CD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP SERVICES.

Establishes a two-year pilot program in the Probate Court and Family Court of the First Circuit to fund certain guardianship- and conservatorship‑related court resources in situations where the respondent does not have sufficient funds to pay for one or more of the resources and the court has deemed the resource or resources beneficial. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WINDSHIELD TINTING.

Prohibits a person from installing, mounting, adhering, affixing, or using any sun screening device in conjunction with the glazing material of a motor vehicle with mirrored or high reflective finishes that produce a red, yellow, amber, or blue appearances from the exterior. Requires all drivers and passengers of motor vehicles with applied tint to fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop, with certain exceptions. Clarifies the light transmittance levels on sun screening devices used in conjunction with glazing material for front side windows and wing windows. Exempts rear windows, including rear windshields on certain vehicles, and side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans from sun screening device requirements. Increases the minimum and maximum fines for violating sun screening device requirements. Specifies that failure of an installer to issue a required certificate to be a violation of sun screening device requirements. Makes the absence of the required certificate in a vehicle prima facie evidence that an installer is noncompliant with the law. (CD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the use of license plate flipping devices. Prohibits the obstruction of a license plate. Establishes minimum and maximum fines. (CD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Adds fireworks infractions to the existing adjudication of infractions process for traffic and emergency period infractions. (CD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATED TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to obtain a certificate of registration from DOH. Establishes the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing. Specifies the authority to inspect businesses engaged in the distribution and sale of, and authority to seize or confiscate, products containing or derived from hemp. Prohibits the sale of tinctures to persons under twenty-one years of age. Specifies that the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing is subject to nuisance abatement proceedings. Establishes that a violation of the hemp processor laws constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice and unfair method of competition subject to a civil penalty. Allows funds in the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used by DOH for the registry of manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers. Authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to administer the hemp processors program. Establishes that every building, premises, or place used for the purpose of violating the hemp processors law is a nuisance subject to abatement. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program and Performing Arts Grants Special Fund to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the SFCA's responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Amends the funding sources for the State Art Museum. Amends the amounts required to be transferred into, including an annual transfer amount and the allowable expenditures from, the Works of Art Special Fund. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and sunsets the Subaccount on 6/30/2030. Requires the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board to consider the infrastructure needs of transit-supportive density requirements. Requires the strategic plan developed by the Hawaii Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development to delineate transit-oriented development areas for each county. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO QUALIFIED COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

Clarifies that the civil service exemption for personal service contracts for building, custodial, and grounds maintenance services with qualified community rehabilitation programs shall not cost more than $3,000,000, in the aggregate per private person or entity, regardless of the number of contracts or qualified community rehabilitation programs utilized for the personal service. (CD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes an appropriation for the public employment cost items and cost adjustments for employees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and various legislative agencies who are excluded from collective bargaining. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Makes laws regulating midwives and the practice of midwifery permanent. Clarifies the scope of practice of midwifery. Establishes licensure requirements for certified midwives and certified professional midwives. Establishes continuing education requirements. Grants global signature authority to midwives. Grants prescriptive authority to licensed midwives practicing as certified midwives and amends the list of approved legend drugs that may be administered by midwives. Establishes peer review and data submission requirements. Affirms that the practice of midwifery does not include Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Clarifies exemptions from licensure and grounds for refusal to grant, renew, reinstate, or restore licenses or for revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of a license. Clarifies medical record availability and retention requirements for the purposes of medical torts. (SD3)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT PROCEDURES.

Establishes the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) Task Force to identify actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures necessary to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental development permit processes. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a Government Employee Housing Program within HHFDC, to be financed by the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds for the program. (CD1)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Requires the Chief Election Officer to provide a system for the electronic filing of nomination papers. Requires that the system for the electronic filing of nomination papers be provided at no additional cost to the filer. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2028. (CD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreation-residence use by public lottery under certain conditions and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located under certain conditions. (CD1)

Dee MorikawaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally. (CD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (13) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (3) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Community Development Authority to cooperate with or assist public and private sector entities to engage in projects that improve the State. Amends the membership of the HCDA board of directors. Establishes the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement Program under HCDA. Repeals the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Authorizes HCDA to issue bonds to finance the development of infrastructure outside of HCDA's community development districts. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (4) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

Authorizes civil claims to be made against a person, business, business owner, or business operator that profits from sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. Extends the statute of limitations for civil claims related to sexual exploitation or sex trafficking to ten years.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (2) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM.

Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission, under the Universal Service Program, may use funds from the Universal Service Fund to provide free telecommunications access to time-sensitive information for individuals with print disabilities. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the Hawaii Public Housing Authorityꞌs powers relating to housing projects. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Expands the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee. (CD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXATION.

Requires all qualified members claiming a credit for pass-through entity taxation to adjust their income to include the qualified member's share of taxes paid by an electing pass-through entity for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Authorizes supplemental allotments and transfers of unrequired balances for capital improvement program projects and establishes a protocol fund with a cap of $7,000 for each state principal department. Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls in the 4th quarter due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs. Authorizes the Governor to use program savings and available funds for the purpose of temporarily maintaining critical federally funded state programs and positions. Authorizes the transfer of an amount in excess of the requirements of the State Educational Facilities Improvement Special Fund to the general fund. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires rental vessels to be registered and numbered with the Department of Land and Natural Resources before being rented or leased, or offered for rent or lease, by the public for transiting the navigable waters of a state park. Requires registration fees to be deposited into the State Parks Special Fund. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (13), and (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 is exceeded. (CD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.

Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals at the state level by the Department of Health. Clarify Medicaid reimbursement policies for hospitals transitioning from a critical access hospital designation to a rural emergency hospital designation. (CD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (7) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Allows the Board of Regents to use moneys in the University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. Requires a report. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (9) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (8) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (6) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Conditions revenue bond proceeds appropriation on room and board assistance to students with financial need. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL COSTS.

Makes emergency appropriations for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary for payroll and fringe benefits of affected Department of Law Enforcement personnel. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS RELATED TO THE MAUI WILDFIRES.

Establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to be administered by the Attorney General. Appropriates funds to fund the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establish a safe routes to school program vehicle registration surcharge on certain motor vehicle registrations to be imposed and collected no later than 12/31/2025. Prohibits the use of facial recognition software in the operation of any photo red light imaging detector systems or automated speed enforcement systems. Clarifies the citations and summons procedures for the Automated Speed Enforcement Detector Systems Program. (CD1)

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